New Britain man charged with placing fake explosives in roadway after police evacuate residents and close roads

Alberto Duarte was also charged with falsely reporting an incident, misuse of the 911 system, first-degree breach of peace and making a false statement.

Alberto Duarte was also charged with falsely reporting an incident, misuse of the 911 system, first-degree breach of peace and making a false statement.

Kathleen Mcwilliams

Police charged a 51-year-old man with falsely reporting an incident and breach of peace after authorities said he placed fake explosives on Willow Street in New Britain.

Police said officers responded to the area of Willow Street and Putnam Street just after 8 a.m. Friday to investigate packages that apparently had been left on the side of the road.

Officers located several “suspicious” packages that had “writing on them indicating they were explosives” so they closed off nearby streets and “area residents were evacuated to a safe distance while officers investigated,” police Chief Christopher Chute said in a press release.

The state police bomb squad investigated the packages and determined they were not explosives. Police reopened the roads by 9:50 a.m. and residents returned to their homes.

Alberto Duarte was also charged with falsely reporting an incident, misuse of the 911 system, first-degree breach of peace and making a false statement, Chute said. He was released on non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in New Britain on Wednesday.